Xuancheng Qinglong Lake

Xuancheng Qinglong Lake

The lake body of Qinglong Lake is winding and twisting, resembling a dragon, hence the name Qinglong Lake. Located in Qinglong Township, 20 kilometers northwest of Jincheng Town, it is a tourist attraction developed from the Hongqi Reservoir. Qinglong Lake is a comprehensive tourist destination that combines sightseeing, summer vacationing, leisure, and culinary tourism.

Qinglong Lake spans approximately 3,000 acres, with clear, emerald-green water like jade. Tests show that the lake water has a pH value of 8, low turbidity, and a transparency of 129 cm. The surrounding mountains undulate continuously, and the lake water winds like a jade-colored dragon among the peaks, creating a serene and mysterious atmosphere. Orange trees grow wild along the shores, blooming in spring and bearing fruit in autumn, filling the air with fragrance that intoxicates the lake. Boating on the lake, where water and sky blend into one, you can watch birds soaring in the blue sky and fish leaping amid the rippling waves—an experience full of charm.

In the distance, misty fog, vast mountains, and boundless waters blend together, with a massive dam lying like a coiled dragon between two hills—where the dragon meets the water, there is a lake. In other places, mountains connect one after another, and before you know it, you’re entirely surrounded by them. But here, the mountains are layered, and as you approach, they unfold like opening windows, revealing layers of landscapes that enhance the sense of grandeur. From near to far, the scenery is “layer upon layer, fading until it almost disappears,” transforming into a rustic and untamed expanse. It lacks the refinement of urban attractions but gains a simple, rural charm that refreshes the mind and lifts the spirit.

Witnessing this scene, free from the hustle and bustle beyond the mountains, you can sit by the deep pool amidst the green grass and distant people, watching fish rise—or simply sit, stare, and think about nothing. The tranquility of the mountains dissolves the restlessness in your heart. You finally understand why so many poets and scholars chose to spend their lives in peaceful mountain retreats, perhaps hoping to escape worldly troubles and achieve spiritual transcendence in their final days.

Nestled in the western part of Ningguo City, the national-level forest park Qinglong Bay Ecotourism Area features picturesque lakes and mountains with richly varied scenery. The scenic area boasts an exceptionally diverse range of flora and fauna. It currently preserves over 50,000 acres of contiguous natural sweet chestnut forests, making it an ideal base for sightseeing, water sports, leisure vacations, folk culture exploration, and film shooting in the southern Anhui mountainous region.

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Xuancheng. The city has a mild and moist climate. Spring is short but pleasant, while summer is the longest season, characterized by high temperatures with an average exceeding 22°C, and abundant rainfall. The plum rain season begins in mid-June each year, so bringing an umbrella is essential when traveling to Xuancheng at this time, along with extra changes of clothes.

Autumn is the shortest season, with crisp air and agreeable temperatures and rainfall. Winter is longer, with lower temperatures and cold weather, averaging below 10°C. Xuancheng’s four seasons are quite similar to those of most northern cities: warm springs, hot summers, cool autumns, and cold winters.